Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, founded by renowned cigar blender Steve Saka, has earned a reputation for creating premium cigars that emphasize tobacco quality, complexity, and distinctive smoking experiences. From the popular Mi Querida and Sin Compromiso lines to the Sobremesa portfolio, Saka continues to explore different approaches to blending and cigar construction.
One of the more interesting additions to the Sobremesa family is the Sobremesa Tapa Negra, a cigar that takes the familiar Sobremesa Brûlée blend and introduces a distinctive dual-wrapper design. Rather than covering the entire cigar in a single wrapper leaf, the Tapa Negra incorporates
The Sobremesa Tapa Negra is made with the same blend as Dunbarton’s regular Sobremesa Brûlée line, meaning it uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut shade G2BW wrapper covering a San Andres Negro binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. However, the top of the cigar—the cap and about an inch or so more—features a Nicaraguan sun-grown wrapper. The concept provides an opportunity to experience two different wrapper characteristics within a single smoking journey,
Steve Saka, founder of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust stated:
“This is a technique I first became exposed to when I worked with Lew Rothman in the late 90’s with a brand called La Especion. I then shared the idea with my factory partners at Joya de Nicaragua and they created their Cabinetta line. What I love about this technique is how it affects the smoking experience – the cigar’s smoke remains creamy and smooth, but the spicy Nicaraguan Sun-Grown capa being in contact with your palate adds great pepper notes, but allows the cigar to remain a very relaxing mild smoking experience.”
Introduced at the 2026 Premium Cigar Association Trade Show, the Tapa Negra was developed as another expression of the Sobremesa portfolio. The cigars are being made at Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
There are two different vitolas in this line, each packaged in 13-count boxes:
- Sobremesa Tapa Negra Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 48) – MSRP $16.25
- Sobremesa Tapa Negra Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $16.95
For this review, I sampled the 3 of the Sobremesa Tapa Negra Toros, which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Cigar Specifications
- Brand: Sobremesa
- Cigar: Tapa Negra
- Company: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
- Founder / Blender: Steve Saka
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
- Vitola Reviewed: Toro
- Length: 6 inches
- Ring Gauge: 52
- Primary Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
- Head Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Cuban Seed
- Binder: San Andres Negro
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- MSRP: $16.95
- Packaging: 13-count boxe
Pre-Light Examination
The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Tapa Negra Toro presents an attractive and rather unique appearance, combining a silky-smooth golden tan wrapper with a contrasting dark maduro-colored leaf covering the head of the cigar. The cigar is beautifully rolled and firmly packed from head to foot, with no noticeable soft spots. A few veins are visible along the tan portion of the wrapper, while the darker leaf exhibits a slightly toothy texture and a subtle oily sheen. The contrasting wrappers give the cigar a distinctive appearance that immediately draws attention.
Adding to the presentation is an elegant two-piece band design featuring a classic black and metallic gold color scheme.
The primary band is highlighted by an ornate, embossed gold crown with intricate detailing and a scalloped upper edge. Decorative gold scrollwork and small floral accents extend across the black background, framed by finely patterned gold borders. One end features the stylized Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust monogram.
The secondary band is a simpler black strip bordered by metallic gold, with the word “Sobremesa” prominently displayed in flowing gold script. Together, the bands present a refined, regal appearance that complements the cigar’s distinctive dual-wrapper construction.
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up pleasant baking spice notes, while the foot delivered an enticing buttery nut aroma, perhaps reminiscent of pecans. Regardless of the exact nut variety, the aroma was extremely inviting and heightened my anticipation for the smoking experience.
I proceeded with a straight cut across the cap and gave the cigar a few cold draws. The draw offered a comfortable level of restriction. While there wasn’t an overwhelming burst of pre-light flavor, I detected a mild nuttiness accompanied by a hint of spice.
The Smoking Journey
First Third
I fired up the Sobremesa Tapa Negra Toro and was greeted with a moderate blast of peppery spice, which carried increased intensity through the retrohale. A light gray ash began forming on top of a medium-thick char line as the cigar delivered a mouth-filling volume of smoke with each draw.
After approximately an inch of burn, the initial pepper began to pull back, allowing a pleasant natural tobacco sweetness to emerge. There was also a touch of leather coming off the darker maduro head, adding a further dimension to the early profile. The ash eventually dropped in a solid chunk, revealing a decent burn cone underneath.
Deep in the first third, a particularly enjoyable orange honey note joined the mix, bringing a bright sweetness that complemented the remaining spice and leather. This was an especially pleasant transition, as the profile moved away from its pepper-forward opening into something sweeter and more rounded.
Second Third
Moving into the second third, caramel notes began to develop, contributing to an increasingly smooth and well-rounded flavor profile. Approaching the midway point, a mouthwatering citrus note emerged alongside a mild spice component. A lingering cashew note added a pleasant dimension to the finish.
The second ash run grew noticeably longer than the first, demonstrating good ash retention and solid construction. Deep in the second third, the profile began to take on a bolder character. Spice increased in intensity, accompanied by a rich dark cocoa note that provided a deeper, more robust flavor experience.
This transition brought an enjoyable contrast to the sweeter caramel, citrus, and cashew notes experienced earlier. The cigar was developing nicely, with the flavors becoming richer without losing the smoothness that characterized the middle portion of the journey.
Final Third
As the cigar transitioned into the final third, earthy notes began to build, adding depth to the increasingly bold profile. The earlier sweetness and brighter citrus characteristics gave way to a more grounded finish, with the developing earthiness providing the dominant character.
While the overall flavor profile became more robust in the latter portion of the smoking experience, the cigar maintained a medium level of strength. The Sobremesa Tapa Negra Toro provided an enjoyable 1 hour and 30 minutes of smoking time.
Final Analysis
The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Tapa Negra Toro delivered a flavorful and engaging smoking experience that demonstrated the blending approach for which Steve Saka has become known. The initial peppery introduction, enhanced by the darker wrapper covering the head, provided a lively opening before transitioning into a smoother profile of natural tobacco sweetness, orange honey, and caramel.
The development of mouthwatering citrus and lingering cashew notes through the second third was particularly enjoyable, adding brightness and complexity to the experience. As the cigar progressed, the introduction of rich dark cocoa and increasing spice brought a bolder character before earthy notes took control in the final third.
Construction was solid, with good ash retention, generous smoke production, and only a mild wave in the burn in the second half but never needing a touch-up.
The dual-wrapper concept adds an interesting element to the experience, and the overall flavor progression offered enough complexity to keep my palate engaged throughout the 90-minute journey. This is certainly a box-worthy cigar.
